Interview with DJ Paco (D.J. Ronen Biran)
Alice Morgan: Can you tell us about your early background and how you got into the world of DJing?
DJ Paco: I was born on March 27, 1970, in Rishon Le Zion, Israel, a city just 15 minutes away from Tel-Aviv. I attended elementary school in Rishon Le Zion and later studied at Boyer High School in Jerusalem. My journey into DJing began as a kid when I started playing music at parties for friends. As I grew older, my passion for music and DJing intensified.
Alice Morgan: When did you transition from playing at parties to pursuing a professional DJ career?
DJ Paco: At the age of 23, I took a step towards a professional career in music as a Latin music DJ. This marked the start of my journey into the world of professional DJing, specializing in Latin music genres.
Alice Morgan: You’ve become a prominent figure in the Latin Music scene in Israel. Could you tell us about some of your notable accomplishments?
DJ Paco: I’m humbled to have become a well-known name in the Latin Music scene, both in Israel and internationally. One of my early milestones was winning first place in the Israeli national salsa competition as a dancer in 1993. This helped establish my position as one of Israel’s top Salseros. Additionally, I was part of the Salsaweb magazine team, serving as the world cityguide administrator, which gained recognition worldwide for promoting salsa.
Alice Morgan: What has been your primary focus and purpose in your career?
DJ Paco: My main goal has always been to promote Latin music and dance not only in Israel but also across the globe. I’ve been passionate about sharing the beauty of Latin rhythms and fostering a love for these genres among diverse audiences.
Alice Morgan: Could you share some highlights from your extensive DJ career?
DJ Paco: Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of performing at major Latin clubs and events in Israel, including Club Purto Loco, Club Maxim, Salsa Carlos, Club Focus, and more. I’ve also performed at significant concerts like Tito Rojas, Los Van Van, and Romeo Santos, which has been an incredible experience.
Alice Morgan: Your international presence is notable as well. Could you elaborate on your involvement in global Latin events?
DJ Paco: I’ve been invited as an international guest DJ to numerous Latin events, congresses, and conventions worldwide. Notable appearances include the SalsaWeb convention in Toronto, Canada, the opening of the first salsa club in Jordan, various salsa congresses in Europe, the LA Salsa Fest, and many more.
Alice Morgan: You’ve also been involved in organizing events. Can you tell us about that?
DJ Paco: Absolutely. I co-produced and directed the annual Israeli salsa congress from 2001 to 2004, attracting over 2000 participants. I was also the artistic director of “Fiesta,” the largest Latin Festival in the Middle East, held in 2005 and 2006, with an impressive attendance of over 60,000 participants.
Alice Morgan: You’ve been a driving force in promoting salsa in Israel. Can you talk about your initiatives?
DJ Paco: To promote salsa in Israel, I founded the largest salsa website in Hebrew, http://www.salsa.org.il, which served as the official salsa website of Israel. I also managed two of the largest salsa schools in Israel, “Club Focus” and “Bailatino,” with a dedicated team of instructors and a substantial student base.
Alice Morgan: Could you tell us about your recent focus in the Latin music scene?
DJ Paco: In recent years, I’ve become a leading Bachata Sensual DJ in Israel, attracting a vibrant community of over 800 dancers every Saturday. Currently, I’m the resident DJ at the “Havana Music Club,” the largest Latin Music Club in Israel, where I play Salsa and Bachata on various nights.
Alice Morgan: It’s been an impressive journey. Any final thoughts or upcoming projects you’d like to share?
DJ Paco: I’m honored to be part of the Bachata Sensual Radio as an official DJ. As always, my passion for Latin music and dance continues to drive me, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for me and the Latin music scene.
The interview was conducted by Alice Morgan, who engaged in a conversation with DJ Paco (D.J. Ronen Biran) to delve into his background, accomplishments, and contributions to the world of Latin music and dance. Alice Morgan’s role was to facilitate the interview and gather insights from DJ Paco about his journey, experiences, and impact on the Latin music scene in Israel and internationally.